Gestational Diabetes

Refusing C-Section

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Momof21886 wrote:

So I am almost 28 weeks. At first my doctor said we can try for a VBAC but then as soon as I was diagnosed with GD she changed her time and started telling me I would need to schedule a csection no later than 39 weeks.

Now, I have had pretty good numbers with only a few being high here and there. The baby is measuring right on track.

Do I have a right to refuse a scheduled csection? And if so how long can I wait to go into labor on my own?

You have the right to refuse anything. However, she has the right to refuse you as a patient also. From what I have read, some with GD is usually endured and it allowed to go to 40 weeks due to size of baby, placenta deterioration, and increased risk of stillbirth. This makes it very likely that you would need to be induced which is not done if you had a previous cesection.

I prefer a c-section. There's more complications that could come up in delivery. My sons shoulders could end up too wide with nerve damage in his arms.. My doctor also mentioned greater chance of still born. I just want my baby safe, cut me open and do what ya gotta do! I'm going to push for that for my situation but we're all different.

The conflict is that with GD, it is recommended to deliver at 38-39 weeks to reduce risk of still birth. However, you CANNOT do pitocin induction as a VBAC - way toooooo much risk of uterine rupture. So, c-section is the option to deliver in the recommended time frame if you do not go into labor naturally.

I think it just depends on your provider. Where I am you could get an indication with ballon, breaking the water and low dose pitocinon/syntocinon but it would have to bee done at a Major Hospital where decision to incision is 10 min or under.

so for my doctors and from most recent research, as long as you are diet controlled you can be treated as a normal pregnancy. The risks of still birth and the baby being too big and for people with uncontrolled diabetes and those that are on medication. Are you on any medication? if you are then most doctors require delivery before 40 weeks due to those risks, but if you are diet controlled and not having any high numbers those risks are not there.

I'm glad you had a good experience with pitocin - some do and some don't :-)

The OP was talking about a VBAC vs c-section. So, if you've already had a c-section and are trying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarian), then pitocin is a no-go. Pitocin makes contractions stronger than natural ones and that increases the risk of uterine rupture during labor, which is obviously not a good thing!

Thank you! That's what everyone keeps saying. I'm torn between wanting the natural experience and "not risking" complications. So if she decides to just pop out on her own within the time frame that would be fantastic!

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